Self-sealing cap for collapsible containers



Sept. 24, 1935. B. B. LEUSTIG SELF SEALING CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 27, 1933 Junentor BEN/V0.3- 462/5776 C(ttornegs Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNETED STATES PATENT orrlcs SELF-SEALING CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to self-sealing caps for collapsible containers, and may be con sidered in the nature of an improvement with respect to the cap assembly disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 567,231, filed October 6, 1931.

The primary object of the invention, therefore, is to improve the cap assembly of my prior application.

Another object is to provide a cap assembly which is economical to manufacture and which can be easily and quickly assembled for shipping or for direct application to a tube in assembled condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap assembly which can be readily applied to the necks of tubes as used for the conventional screwthread type of cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock for caps of this type which is efficient in performing its function yet so simple in construction that the additional cost involved in production is almost negligible, a factor of considerable importance where the article must be sold in large quantities at a relatively low price.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock for a self-sealing cap assembly which not only serves as a simple and efficient lock but also serves as a convenient means for holding the parts in assembled position when packed for shipment and/or when applied to the necked extremity of the tube.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a preferred form of my self-sealing cap assembly applied in operative position to a collapsible tube; Fig. 1a shows the guard or retainer ferrule removed; Fig. 1b shows the assembly in section with the cap in the position it assumes when extruding the contents from the tube; Figs. 1c, 1d and 1e show the respective parts of the assembly in perspective, and Fig. If is a detail perspective view of the assembly ready for application to a tube or for shipment to be subsequently applied to a tube. A

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the look as made in conjunction with a modified form of cap assembly; Fig. 2a is a transverse vertical sectional view thereof; Fig. 2b is a horizontal section taken on the line indicated in Fig. 2a; and Figs. 2c and 2d are detail views of parts of the assembly.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are horizontal sectional views,

taken substantially as in Fig. 2b, of modifications in lock construction; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are views in transverse vertical section of slight modifications in the assembly shown in Figs. 2 to 20, inclusive. 5

Referring in detail to the drawing, and first to Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, 5 designates a collapsible container or tube, 6 a retaining guard or ferrule,

l a valve cap which fits over the end of the tube and is held in assembled position by the ferrule 6, and 8 a resilient member or spring which is positioned between the cap and guard and contacts at its lower end a stop flange la formed on the cap and at its upper end a stop flange 6a formed on the guard or ferrule 6. The end of 15 the tube is formed with a neck 5a at the base of which an enlargement or shoulder 5b is provided. The top wall of the neck is formed withone or a plurality of outlet orifices 5c and a rounded tip 5d. The top of the cap I is formed with an outlet orifice lb, and this orifice is closed by the tip 5d when the cap is in normal retracted position with the surrounding wall of the cap sealing the orifices 50. It will be noted that there are no separate compartments or pockets which segregate portions of the substance in the tube and permit such portions to harden or become dry and render extrusion difiicult if not impossible.

The foregoing construction is disclosed in substance in my prior application above noted, with the exception that in my original assembly, the ferrule is provided with a plurality of resilient flanged fingers which engage in a groove formed at the base of the neck of the tube and hold the ferrule in assembled position. I have found that if means are provided for giving the ferrule a press fit, cost of manufacture and assembly of the parts can be materially reduced. Hence, I provide the enlarged annular portion or shoulder to and simply press the ferrule in position on this shoulder when assembling. Moulding of the tube is thus simplified, since there is no groove or threaded portion to be formed around p the neck, and stamping of the guard or ferrule and at its lower end terminates in a stop lug I041. The flange la is recessed or formed with a gap I I of sufficient width to permit the leg lb of the depression I!) to pass freely therethrough.

In assembling, the parts may be assembled as a separate unit as shown in Fig. 1f, the spring 8 simply being inserted over the cap I and the guard or ferrule it placed over the cap and spring with the depression II] and gap or recess II in registration. It is now only necessary to push the cap into the ferrule until the flange Ia passes the leg Iilb of the depression II], whereupon the cap is turned slightly and the flange looks over said leg, being, urged thereagainst by the spring 8. The assembly is then ready for shipment and/or for application to the tube 5. The ferrule 6 may be given a press fit with the fingers, or a suitable tool may be employed.

After the ferrule 6 has been pressed onto the shoulder 51), the cap I is turned back until the leg Iilb registers with the gap I I, whereupon the spring 8 urges the cap down into sealing position, as shown in Fig. 1.

To look the cap I in sealing position, it is only necessary to give it a slight turn so that the flange Ia engages under the leg Ib, the lug 10a acting as a stop to show when the cap is locked. The cap may be knurled, as at I2, to facilitate turning thereof.

It will be noted that the tube neck requires no threading or outwardly projecting portions to cooperate with the cap assembly. This simplifies the process of manufacture of the tube, as will be readily understood by those having a knowledge of the art. The lock structure requires no extra parts and is so simple in construction as to render its cost almost negligible.

In Figs. 2, 2a and 2b, the cap assembly comprises a sealing or valve cap I3, a nozzle tip or member I4 and spring 8. The cap I3 is provided with an extrusion orifice I3a and lower inturned fingers I319. The tip I4 is provided with outlet orifices I la which are sealed by the valve cap I3 when the latter is in normal retracted position. This tip I4 is a member separate with respect to the tube and. is preferably adapted to have a press fit on the neck 50.. Thus the tube may be the same as that used for the conventional screw-thread cap with the threads omitted, which feature reduces the cost of production of the tube. This tip may, however, be interiorly screw-threaded, in which event the same may be substituted for the conventional screw-threaded cap when applying the assembly.

In assembling, the nozzle member I4 may be inserted in the cap, then the spring 8, after which the fingers I3b are turned in, and the assembly is complete ready for application to the neck of the tube.

In this instance the lock consists of a depression I0 formed in the side wall of the valve cap I3 and having an inclined locking leg IGc which is adapted to engage under a locking lug I6, formed on the neck of the tube, when the cap is turned toward the right as viewed in the drawing. A stop lug IT is also formed on the neck of the tube, to indicate by feel when the valve cap is in open position.

In this form of the device also, the parts may be assembled and shipped and applied as a separate unit. While there are projecting parts, namely the lugs I8 and I1, formed on the tube neck, yet I have found that these are very easy to form and add substantially nothing to the cost of manufacture. The stop lug may be omitted if desired, as will be obvious. The lugs and depression do not interfere with the action of the spring 8. The assembly as a whole may be applied by simply pressing the nozzle tip I 4 on the tube neck.

In Figs. 3 to '7, inclusive, certain modifications in structure relative to Figs. 2, 2a and 2b are shown.

Fig. 3 shows a lock construction wherein a 10 stop lug Ila is formed on the tube neck 5a and a coacting stop boss III) is provided on the nozzle cap I3. Locking is effected by a lock lug IBa formed on the neck 5a, which lug coacts with an inclined locking flange I8 formed at the one extremity of the flange I31). Stop I'Ib contacting lug Ila indicates locked position, while contact with lug ISa indicates unlocked position.

In Fig. 4, the lock construction is substantially the same as in Fig. 3 with the exception that it is simplified, there being stop means to indicate when the cap I3 is in unlocked position only, stop boss I la being omitted. When cap I3 is turned to the right, flange I8 engages under lug Mia, and when it is turned to the left, stop I'Ib contacts with lug Isa, indicating unlocked position.

In Fig. 5, the structure is reversed relative to Fig. 3, stop bosses I I0 and Mel being formed in the cap I3 and being adapted to contact with lock lug IBa on the tube neck 5a. Stop boss IId contacting with lug IBa indicates locked position, while boss I'Ic contacting with said lug IIia indicates unlocked position. Bosses I10 and I'Id are simply depressions in cap I3.

In Fig. 6, the cap I3 is provided with a separate flange member I9 which is given a press fit in the lower end of the cap, the latter being slightly offset to provide a smooth inner surface and a stop shoulder for the flange mem- 40 ber I9. This construction eliminates the separate operation of turning in spring-retaining fingers or a flange on the cap I3.

In Fig. 7, the construction is substantially the same as in Fig. 6 with the exception that flange member IQa is longer and a modification in look structure is shown. In this instance, the edge of the tip or nozzle member I 4 is formed with a locking notch 29 having a stepped portion 20a therein which forms a stop. A locking boss 2| is formed on the cap I3 or member ISa, depending upon which type of cap is used, said boss engaging in notch 29 when the cap is turned to locking position. To unlock the cap, the latter is pulled clear of notch .20 and turned until boss 2| engages in notch 200..

It will be noted that the lock construction in each instance has been developed with a view toward providing an eflicient lock with the greatest possible ease in manufacture. It requires 0 very little additional effort to merely stamp the bosses II), III), I'Ic, lid in the wall of the ferrule 6 or cap I3, and the lugs I6, I'I, etc. are relatively small and may be readily cast on the neck 5a, of the tube 5. In both the guard and valve cap type of assembly, the parts may be assembled and shipped and applied as a unit by a simple press fit, which type of fit lends itself readily to automatic machine or tool manipulation and with relatively simple machinery or tools. It will be'noted, further, that in each of the forms shown, the means for holding the assembly in position onthe tube is adapted to have a press fit on a reduced or necked portion of the tube, said means in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 1 being the guard or ferrule 6, while in the remaining figures the nozzle tip 14 serves this function, and this same means also serves as an abutment for one end of the spring.

I claim:-

1. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck portion at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap as- .sembly comprising a valve cap, resilient means for normally urging said cap to sealing position, and means having a press fit over said neck portion for holding the resilient means in operative position with respect to the valve cap when the -latter is forced from its seat and also for holding the assembly in position on said neck portion.

2. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck portion at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap, a spring for normally urging said cap to scaling position, and means having a press fit over said neck portion for holding the assembly in position thereon, said means providing a shoulder against which one end of the spring abuts for hol ing the spring in operative position with respect to the valve cap when the latter is forced from its seat.

3. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck portion at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap formed with an outlet orifice at one end thereof and spring-retaining means at its opposite end, a spring for normally urging said cap to scaling position, the

- one end of said spring abutting against said means, and means adapted to be securedto said neck portion for holding the cap and spring in operative position on said neck portion, said means providing an abutment for the other end of said spring.

i. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a valve cap fitting over said neck, resilient means for normally urging said cap to sealing position, a retaining ferrule fitting over said spring and cap to complete the assembly, and means for locking said cap in sealing position, said means also serving to lock the cap against displacement with respect to the ferrule.

5. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self -sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap having an outlet orifice at one end and a flange at its opposite end, a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position, a retaining ferrule for holding the spring in operative position with respect to the cap and also for holding the assembly on said neck, and

locking means comprising a substantially L- shaped boss formed on said ferrule and having an inclined leg adapted to engage under the flange of said cap.

6. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self -sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap formed with an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a flange at its opposite end, said flange being formed with a gap, a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position, said spring being positioned on said cap with its lower end abutting against said flange, a ferrule fitting over said spring and cap and provided with a flange at one end thereof adapted to engage the opposite end of said spring, and a substantially L-shaped locking boss formed in the side wall of said ferrule, said boss having an inclined leg adapted to pass through said cap, the extremity of the flange which lies adjacent said gap being adapted to engage under said leg when it is desired to lock the cap in sealing position and to engage over said leg when it is desired to lock the cap against displacement with respect to said spring and ferrule.

'7. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck portion at the ex-- trusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a flange at its opposite end, said flange being formed with a recess or gap therein, a retaining ferrule having a flange at one end thereof, said ferrule fitting over said spring and cap and being secured to the extremity of the tube, and means serving both as a lock for the valve cap and for holding the cap against displacement with respect to the ferrule and spring, said means comprising a depressed boss formed in the side wall of the ferrule and having a substantially vertical leg and a slightly inclined leg, said inclined leg being adapted to be passed through said recess or gap and selectively engage on either side of the flange.

8. In combination with a collapsible container having a reduced neck portion at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self -sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a fiange at its opposite end, said flange being formed with a recess or gap therein, a retaining ferrule having a flange at one end thereof, said ferrule fitting over said spring and cap and being secured to the extremity of the tube, and means serving both as a lock for the valve cap and for holding the cap against displacement with respect to the ferrule and spring, said means comprising a depressed boss formed in the side wall of the ferrule and having a substantially vertical leg and a slightly inclined leg,

a press fit on said neck and formed with an extrusion orifice adapted to be closed by said cap when the latter is in sealing position, and resilient means for normally urging said cap in sealing position with respect to said nozzle member.

10. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap formed with an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a spring-abutment at its opposite end, a nozzle tip secured to said neck and formed with an outlet orifice adapted to coact with the orifice in said cap, and resilient means positioned between the abutment of said cap and said nozzle member for normally urging the cap to scaling position.

65 11. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap formed with an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a spring-abutment at its opposite end, a nozzle member having a pressed fit on said neck and formed with one or a plurality of outlet orifices adapted to coact with the orifice in said cap, and a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position with respect to said nozzle menrber, said nozzle member serving as an abutment for one end of said spring.

12. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, said neck terminating in one or a plurality of extrusion outlet orifices, a valve cap having an outlet orifice adapted to coact with said extrusion orifices, a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position with respect to said extrusion orifices, and means for locking said cap in sealing position, said means comprising a substantially L-shaped depression formed in the side wall of said cap and coacting lugs formed on the side of said neck, one of said lugs being adapted to engage said depression and hold the cap against relative longitudinal movement with respect to said neck and another of said lugs serving as a stop lug to indicate when the cap has been turned to unlocked position.

13. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereorf, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a valve cap having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a flange at its opposite end, said flange being formed with a gap or recess therein, a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position, and means for locking said cap in such position comprising a locking lug formed on said neck and adapted to clear said gap when the cap is moved longitudinally to unseated position and to engage the flange when the cap is slightly rotated with respect to the tube.

14. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self -sealing cap assembly comprismg a valve cap having an outlet orifice at one end thereof and a flange at its opposite end, said flange being formed with a gap or recess therein, means for normally urging said cap to sealing position, and means for locking said cap in such position comprising spaced depressions formed in said cap and adapted to contact a locking lug formed on said neck and indicate locking and unlocking positions, said lug being adapted to engage under an inclined portion of said flange adjacent said adjacent said recess, and a stop boss formed in the side wall of said cap and adapted to contact with said stop lug and said locking lug to indicate when the cap is turned to locked and unlocked position, said inclined extremity of the flange engaging under the locking lug when the cap is slightly rotated with respect to said tube, thereby locking the cap against longitudinal movement with respect to said neck.

16. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a nozzle member having a pressed fit on said neck, a valve cap adapted to fit over said nozzle member, a spring for normally urging said cap to sealing position, said nozzle member serving as an abutment for one end of said spring, and a separate flange member having a pressed fit in the lower end of said cap for serving as an abutment for the opposite end of said spring.

17. In combination with a collapsible container having a neck at the extrusion extremity thereof, a self-sealing cap assembly comprising a nozzle member secured on the end of said neck, a valve cap adapted to have a sliding fit on said nozzle member, means for normally urging said cap to sealing position on said nozzle member, and means for locking said cap in such position, said means comprising a locking lug provided in the side wall of said cap and adapted to engage in a recess formed in the edge of said nozzle member when the cap is slightly rotated with respect to said latter member.

BENNO B. LEUSTIG. 

